Places to visit in Mumbai, also referred to as the capital of Maharashtra is a wonderful city of hope, glamor as well as passion. Mumbai is associated with the modern touch as well as the heritage. Also called the city of dream fulfillment, Mumbai, also called Bombay in the past, Mumbai is the fusion of culture as well as lifestyle. You can come here to see places in Mumbai.
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The city has all the things that the traveler requires. Here you can meet the Bollywood superstars apart from the big industrialists. You can also see the fisherman as well as the slum dwellers in Mumbai, you can have good street food.
Mumbai is the principal center related to art as well as culture. Mumbai is a cosmopolitan city and you can call it the city of the spirit.
Places To Visit in Mumbai
1. Elephanta Caves
In the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Elephanta Caves depicts rock-cut architecture dating back to medieval India. The caves are situated on the Gharapuri island located 11 km from Mumbai. Also referred as Gharapurichi Leni, the Elephanta Caves are ruins of the earlier painted artworks. Here, you have the exotic view of the Mumbai skyline. You can reach the Elephanta Caves on a ferry from Gateway of India. The cave temple collection dates back from the 5th to 7th centuries and many of these temples are Shiva temples. This is among the best places to visit in Mumbai.
2. Marine Drive
Marine Drive is a wonderful landmark in Mumbai known for the glamor as well as glitter apart from the nightlife. It is a 3.6 km long, arc-shaped boulevard located near South Mumbai coast commencing from southern end of Nariman Point and culminating at Girgaum Chowpatty also called the Chowpatty Beach. From here you can see the exotic glimpse of the Arabian sea. This spot is the best place to visit in Mumbai to watch the sunset or for a stroll by the side of the sea at any time of the night or day. During the night, at the time of lightening of the entire coastline, it looks like the Queen’s Necklace.
3. Juhu Beach
Juhu beach is the beach with the maximum length in Mumbai and is well known among travel circles. Here, you find various street food options providing you multiple flavors of Mumbai. The adjacent area of Juhu is among the posh localities of Mumbai and here you find the bungalow of the Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan.
4. Colaba Causeway
One of the exciting places to visit in Mumbai is the Colaba Causeway and this is also referred to as the shopper’s paradise. Mumbai Causeway is also referred to as the heart of Mumbai. Apart from wonderful clothes as well as accessories, you can also find home decor items like lampshades, curios as well as antiques. If you want a bite as well as beer, you have multiple restaurants providing good food as well as booze at affordable prices. You have the famous cafe Cafe Leopold as well as Cafe Mondegar.
5. Gateway of India
The Gateway of India is among the popular travel hotspots in the city of Mumbai. Located on the Apollo Bunder, you find a glimpse of the Arabian Sea. It is among the wonderful monuments in the city of Mumbai and was constructed in 1924.
6. Hanging Gardens
Hanging Garden is located on Malabar Hill close to Kamla Nehru Park. It overlooks the mesmerizing Arabian Sea and was constructed in 1880 by Ulhas Ghapokar. The mesmerizing gardens dedicated to Barrister Pherozeshah Mehta are also called Pherozeshah Mehta Gardens. The garden carries animal shaped hedges apart from green vegetation with a wonderful glimpse of the Arabian sea.
7. Haji Ali Shrine
The Haji Ali Shrine is a famous Islamic religious landmark located in Mumbai, India. It is situated on a small islet in the Arabian Sea, about 500 meters off the coast of Worli. The shrine is dedicated to the memory of Sayed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari, a wealthy merchant from Uzbekistan who renounced his material possessions and undertook a pilgrimage to Mecca. According to popular folklore, Haji Ali died on his way to Mecca and his casket miraculously floated back to the shores of Mumbai, where it eventually came to rest.
The Haji Ali Shrine was constructed in the 19th century and is renowned for its Indo-Islamic architectural style. The structure is built predominantly with white marble and stands on a raised platform connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway. During high tide, the causeway gets submerged in water, making the shrine appear as if it’s floating in the sea.
The inner sanctum of the Haji Ali Shrine houses the tomb of Sayed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari and is accessible to both men and women. The shrine is visited by thousands of devotees and tourists from different parts of the world, who come to pay their respects and seek blessings. The complex also includes a mosque, various courtyards, and a marble courtyard surrounded by pillared arcades.
Apart from its religious significance, the Haji Ali Shrine is also a popular tourist attraction due to its unique location and architectural beauty. It offers panoramic views of the Mumbai skyline and the Arabian Sea. Visitors can explore the shrine, offer prayers, and partake in the peaceful atmosphere that pervades the premises.
It’s important to note that while the Haji Ali Shrine is a revered place of worship, visitors are expected to adhere to the guidelines and regulations set by the authorities to maintain the sanctity of the site.
8. Siddhivinayak Temple
The Siddhivinayak Temple is a prominent Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha, located in Mumbai, India. It is one of the most revered and visited temples in the city. The temple is situated in Prabhadevi, a neighborhood in central Mumbai.
The construction of the Siddhivinayak Temple dates back to the early 19th century when a devotee named Deubai Patil commissioned the construction of the original temple structure. Over the years, the temple has undergone several renovations and expansions to accommodate the increasing number of devotees.
The presiding deity of the Siddhivinayak Temple is Lord Ganesha, who is widely revered as the remover of obstacles and the bestower of good fortune and success. The idol of Lord Ganesha in the temple is made of black stone and is believed to be self-manifested (swayambhu).
The temple complex features a main hall where the idol of Lord Ganesha is enshrined. The idol is adorned with various ornaments and is placed behind a silver-plated sanctum. The inner walls of the sanctum are adorned with images and sculptures depicting various aspects of Lord Ganesha. The temple also has other smaller shrines dedicated to other deities, including Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Lord Hanuman, and Lord Vishnu.
The Siddhivinayak Temple attracts a large number of devotees, both locals and tourists, who come to seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha. Tuesdays are considered particularly auspicious, and devotees often wait in long queues to get a glimpse of the idol and offer their prayers and offerings. The temple is also known for granting wishes and is believed to have a strong spiritual energy.
Outside the main temple complex, there are various facilities available for devotees, including a prayer hall, a meditation room, a bookstall, and a cafeteria. The temple premises are well-maintained and provide a serene and peaceful atmosphere for devotees to connect with the divine.
9. Flora Fountain
Flora Fountain is a historic monument located in the heart of Mumbai, India. It is an iconic landmark and a popular tourist attraction in the city. The fountain is situated at the intersection of Dadabhai Naoroji Road (formerly known as the Esplanade Road) and Veer Nariman Road (formerly known as Churchgate Street) in the Fort area of Mumbai.
The Flora Fountain was built in the mid-19th century and was originally named “Fountain of Life.” It was designed by British architect Richard Norman Shaw and sculpted by Raffaelle Monti. The fountain was later renamed “Flora Fountain” in honor of the Roman goddess Flora, the goddess of flowers and spring.
The fountain itself is made of white Portland stone and features intricate carvings and sculptures. It is a fusion of Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles, with a tall central column adorned with various figures and motifs. At the top of the column is a statue of Flora, holding a sheaf of wheat and a horn of plenty, symbolizing abundance and fertility.
The Flora Fountain is surrounded by a circular basin with multiple spouts, from which water flows into the basin. The sight of the fountain, with its ornate design and cascading water, creates a picturesque scene. The fountain has been an important meeting point and a symbol of the city’s heritage for over a century.
Flora Fountain is not just a decorative structure but also serves as a traffic roundabout, with several important roads converging at this junction. It is located in close proximity to other significant landmarks in Mumbai, such as the Bombay High Court, St. Thomas Cathedral, and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus).
Over the years, the Flora Fountain has undergone restoration and conservation efforts to preserve its architectural beauty and historical significance. It remains a popular spot for locals and tourists alike, who gather around the fountain to relax, take photographs, and admire its grandeur.
The area around Flora Fountain is also a bustling commercial and cultural hub, with numerous shops, offices, and heritage buildings. It reflects the vibrant spirit of Mumbai and showcases the city’s blend of colonial and contemporary architecture.
Visitors to Mumbai often include a visit to Flora Fountain as part of their itinerary, whether to witness its architectural splendor or simply to experience the vibrant atmosphere of this iconic landmark.
10. Fort Bassein
Fort Bassein, also known as Vasai Fort or Fort George, is a historic fort located in Vasai, a town in the Palghar district of Maharashtra, India. It is situated about 48 kilometers north of Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay).
The construction of Fort Bassein dates back to the early 16th century when it was built by the Portuguese as a strategic outpost and a trading center. The fort occupies an area of about 110 acres and is situated on the banks of the Vasai Creek, overlooking the Arabian Sea.
Fort Bassein played a significant role in the history of the region. It served as an important Portuguese stronghold during their colonial rule in India. The fort was captured by the Marathas in 1739 and later fell into the hands of the British in 1780. It was then renamed Fort George in honor of King George III of England.
The fort complex includes various structures such as bastions, ramparts, gateways, churches, residential quarters, and a citadel. The architecture of Fort Bassein is a blend of European and Indian styles, reflecting the influence of different rulers over the centuries. The fort’s walls are made of stone and are surrounded by a moat, adding to its defensive capabilities.
One of the notable structures within the fort is the St. Joseph’s Church, also known as the Vasai Fort Church. It was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century and is one of the oldest churches in the region. The church displays a combination of Portuguese and Indian architectural elements.
Fort Bassein attracts history enthusiasts, architecture lovers, and tourists interested in exploring the rich cultural heritage of the region. The well-preserved ruins of the fort offer insights into the colonial history of India and provide a glimpse into the architectural grandeur of the past. Visitors can walk through the fort’s corridors, climb its bastions, and explore the remnants of its various structures.
The fort is open to the public, and there are guided tours available that provide historical information and anecdotes about the fort’s significance. The surrounding area of Vasai also offers additional attractions, including beaches, temples, and the historic Vasai town itself.
Visiting Fort Bassein provides an opportunity to step back in time and appreciate the historical legacy of the region, making it a worthwhile destination for history buffs and those interested in exploring Maharashtra’s cultural heritage.
